The study is designed to determine the effects of Tai Chi training on balance and other functional outcomes in persons with Parkinson's disease.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

40 Years to 85 Years

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients who have:

A diagnosis of idiopathic PD, with a disease severity rating of stage I to IV on the Hoehn and Yahr scale (Hoehn & Yahr, 1967)

At least 1 score of 2 or more for at least 1 limb for either the tremor, rigidity, or bradykinesia item of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)

Stable medication usage

Not participated in a structured exercise program (i.e., not involved in any routine, organized physical activity program lasting 30 minutes or more per day, such as a gym program or regularly scheduled instructor-led exercise class) in the previous 2 months

Ability to stand unaided or walk independently; had a personal physician's or neurologist's clearance for participation; and had a willingness to be assigned to intervention conditions.

Have self-reported diagnosis of Alzheimer disease or other severe neurological (stage III and IV PD)

Have evidence of progressive or debilitating conditions (metastatic cancer, severe heart or lung disease, crippling arthritis) or severe losses in vision and hearing that would limit their tolerance to testing and training procedures, that would interfere with study participation

Are unavailable during the study period.

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00611481